Kuching - Sarawak Museum

Besides the Chinese History Museum, we also went to the Sarawak Museum which is about 10 to 15 minutes walk from Kuching Waterfront, just along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg after the Padang Merdeka. Established in 1888  after receiving sponsors from Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah (White King) of Sarawak, this building was built with every intention of it being a museum. This museum often being considered as one of the best museums in Southeast Asia and is the oldest museum in the Borneo island.

Sarawak Museum

The building still manage to retain much of its original designs even during the Japanese Occupation. According to Wikipedia, little damages had been done on the building due to the fact that it was under the direction of a kind Japanese officer.

Still looking magnificent

The exhibitions in the museum are extensive, covering from wild animals found in Sarawak to the archaeological findings,  pre-historic earthen wares to indigenous living lifestyles. When it comes to indigenous section, you will be amazed at how detailed and elaborated it covered, from the masks used by different tribes to the replica of a traditional Iban longhouse inside the museum.

wild lives in Sarawak

Inside the longhouse

Traditional music instruments

Extension to the museum was built at the other side of the road with a overhead bridge connecting it. Over there, you can read up information about Sarawak and the districts in it, about the developments happening over there and so on.

Indigenous items

The best part of it is that you can enter for free. Yes, just like the Chinese History Museum, Sarawak Museum is free of charge. Plus, it is air-conditioned so you can enjoy your afternoon brushing up your history at the same time, escaping the heat from the sun. In my opinion, Sarawak Museum definitely live up to the hype of being one of the best museums in Southeast Asia.

*TO BE CONTINUED*